Simple poll. Of the 5 top teams, which would you prefer as a first round matchup for the Rockets. Choose just 1. Explain you choice. I'd take New Orleans because of lack of experience.
Spurs or NO. For some reason we match up really well with the Spurs, plus Bonzi is a Spurs killer, and it looks like the Spurs are actually injury ridden this season and are starting to show their age. The only downside is they are the NBA champs, and we don't know the difference of intensity in their game in the playoffs. So they may very well blow us out of the water from their higher intensity level. New Orleans would be good simply because the team is young, and has about as many 2nd round advancers as we do on our roster... not many. They play us well, but then again we play them well too, so it would make for an interesting series. I could see going against them being going against the Utah Jazz last season all over again.
Today, i think Dallas - because honestly TODAY we are not playing well enough to get out of the first round with any of those teams. BUT, if we do i can think of nothing sweeter than knocking Dallas out in the first round. Again, this is only because we match poorly against everyone in there right now - to knock out Dallas.... OHHHHHH how sweet would that be. I have not missed more than 10 rockets games since the 90's and am a life long fan but the reality of our play is poor/to/average right now. we have all the pieces, just not the execution just yet - hopefully by playoff time we will have this poll again and i can pick the team we have the best chance of beating. my 2 cents...
The West is insane...? I would say Denver, Utah, or NO. I'm sort of confident about beating the Suns and even the Lakers. Shaq will negate the speed and fronting and Yao can stay in the game longer. Thanks Phoenix. With that being said, their execution in half court will be better. Everyone is going crazy about the Lakers, but we actually match up well with them. We're not as good in lot areas, but we have deeper bench and a better team defense. Don't want to face Dallas or the Spurs. Both teams in playoff mode will put us way 5 or 6 games.
They're all good, but I think that we can take the Hornets, since several of their core players are young. My instinct was to vote Suns because of Shaq, but he may end up being a good thing for them. We shall see.
I'd take the Suns, easy. Yao vs. Shaq in a seven game series? That would be like a gift from heaven. My second choice would be the Spurs -- the only other WC team that we have actually had a matchup advantage against recently.
Shaq will play very inspired against the Spurs, Lakers, and probably us. Not so much against some of the other teams.
Isn't it kind of funny how everything is happening......Gasol could have actually gone to CHicago for a better deal and that could've got cap relief...why did he get sent to the Lakers of all places? How come Shaq ends up in the Phoenix, not Dallas or some of the other big west teams?
Yes, I agree the Suns. Rafer vs NASH & Stoudamire vs Scola . Its a dream come true. yea right No brainer NO
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I have no real preference. I think if we go to the playoffs on a roll, we can beat any of those teams. However, I would love nothing more than to give payback to the Mavericks for '05. I can't stand their fans or the punks they have as players. My vote is for the Mavericks.
Realistically, we just haven't matched up with Dallas well since we lost to them in the playoffs. We had them on the ropes, and then let them come back. Ever since then they seem to really have our number. I think the Rockets match up well with any of the elite teams, especially now that Shaq looks to be headed to PHX (assuming he passes the physical). The Suns match up looks alot more favorable now. Yao would kill Shaq in a 7 games series, and they'd lose Marion who usually does a good job on TMAC because of his exceptional quickness and length. We always seem to match up well with the Spurs, and I agree, NO is very inexperienced. I don't want to see the Jazz again in the first round but would welcome a rematch later in the playoffs.
I think I want the Suns now since they lost their minds and traded for a broken down Shaq. They gave up Marion, wow.
I just voted for NO even though I don't particularly like any of the choices. It came down to NO having little to no experience in playoffs on its roster and therefore could choke. I aslo took into count NO is so close we won't have to travel very far. Also Landry played there twice in the NCAA Tournament last year and did very well in those games (19.5 pts 11.5 rebs 14-24 shooting, was at the Arizona game actually). What I am surprised about is that when I voted it was 21 votes No 20 San Antonio. I realize SA isn't doing well right now but Parker is hurt and if we know anything about them they will turn it up come post season. Of the teams they are the last team I would want to face. I actually thought about voting Phoenix because they struggle in playoffs and when they play us they tend to slow down a bit and not play their game. If I really had to pick a second team it would be Dallas. They choke, and while they have beaten us in the past, I still think we match up well and that they are the worst team on the list.
Spurs of coarse, we are a much better match up with them. The suns too if they land Shaq. But as long as we make the playoffs, I believe we can knock anyone one of them out. Sorry, but I just beieve in and support my Rockets team.
